In-N-Out building 1948 replica drive-through

A legendary brand such as In-N-Out Burger needs an equally iconic landmark to represent its heritage.

The Irvine-based burger institution is building a replica of the 1948 drive-through that Harry and Esther Snyder founded 65 years ago in Baldwin Park. The 100-square-foot, red-and-white burger stand is under construction on Francisquito Avenue and the (I-10) freeway. Everything from the kitchen fryers to the white gravel drive-through lane is being reproduced.

"When you look in, it will be an exact replica of what Harry and Esther Snyder built and operated," Baldwin Park city planner Amy L. Harbin said.

Chain executive Carl Van Fleet dismissed rumors that the building, a few blocks from the company's distribution and training center, will be a museum.

"It will not be an operational restaurant. At this point, we are just building a replica that we hope will help us honor our history. No plans for anything like a museum or shop," said Van Fleet, In-N-Out's executive vice president of planning and development.

The burger stand is under construction where a shuttered In-N-Out restaurant was torn down in 2011. At the time, the demolition triggered a brouhaha among some bloggers who erroneously reported that the chain had razed the company's oldest burger stand. Some also thought it was the chain's original location.

Van Fleet said the company's oldest existing restaurant is in Pasadena. The original 1948 location disappeared years ago when the freeway was built, he added.

"The original site (for the first In-N-Out) is under the overpass for I-10 so this is not on the original land, but it is nearby," he said.

Once construction is complete, Van Fleet said the structure will most likely serve as a "picture spot" for nostalgic burger fans. The location might also be used "for some of our manager training classes," he added.

During a recent visit to the site, white sparkly rocks filled a horseshoe-shaped lane to mimic the original gravel-filled drive-through lane. Period outdoor light fixtures hung from the rooftop. Black acorn lampposts surrounded the white stucco and red-trimmed stand. The street-side view was partially blocked by a tall wrought-iron fence covered in black tarp.

Though it looks complete on the outside, there's a lot of work to be done "to make it look as much like the original as possible," Van Fleet said.

According to city renderings, red-and-white awnings will extend from the building on three sides, a two-way speaker box will be added along the drive-through lane and a large red-and-white retro marquee will be added out front. The sign will read: "In-N-Out Hamburgers No Delay." (In-N-Out has a similar sign posted outside its Baldwin Park offices.)

Though In-N-Out is committed to replicating major and micro details tied to the original burger stand, one thing will be missing: a cigarette machine. Harbin said city renderings of the 1948 building show a large vending machine for buying smokes at the end of the drive-through lane. But such a machine – even a replica – would not be acceptable today, she said.

In-N-Out fans such as Bob Benbow are looking forward to taking a trip back in time when the landmark is complete.

"In-N-Out is the No. 1 thing the city is known for," said Benbow, curator of the Baldwin Park Historical Museum.

In 1947, Harry Snyder, the son of Dutch immigrants, met his wife, Esther Johnson. He sold baked goods to a Seattle restaurant where she worked as the day manager. They fell in love, married, and settled in Baldwin Park. The Snyders opened the first In-N-Out hamburger stand across the street from their house in 1948, the same year the McDonald brothers launched a burger shack in Southern California.

From the beginning, the family's goals were simple: serve a freshly made hand-pressed burger in a sparkling clean, friendly environment. Esther managed the books, while a workaholic Harry ran the day-to-day operations.

"It was a family affair," said Benbow, who dedicates shelf space to In-N-Out memorabilia at the museum.

The burger stand opened with a "two-way speaker" drive-through, an industry innovation that was the first of its kind in California. Though the speaker system is notable, the chain's rabid fan base has been built on a burgers-and-fries menu that has remained largely unchanged for decades.

"They've kept the same motto as Harry. Great service. Clean. And great fresh food," Benbow said.

In-N-Out said a grand opening event has not been scheduled for the replica building.